A walk in warm overcast conditions at Newchurch Common, Cheshire this am.
Bumper day for butterflies. My first Purple Hairstreak of 2019 in oaks near the car parking area. Also newly emerged Small Copper and Peacock. Other species seen were Comma, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Ringlet , Meadow Brown and Green-veined White, 13 species in total. A Black-tailed Skimmer plus the 4 common Damselflies were seen. A Gall Fly that targets thistles (Terellia serratulae)was a new species for me and the patch. A Long Hoverfly male was noted.
Non invertebrates included a Wood Mouse and lots of Common Toadlets.
Peter Krischkiw said
Wed Jul 17 9:47 PM, 2019
Loos like a Dingy or Buff Footman,Buff is more common.
John Williams said
Tue Jul 16 6:29 PM, 2019
Moore NR
Butterflies : Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers abundant, 3 Green Veined Whites (Birch Wood),
6 Red Admirals, 2 Small Tortoiseshells, 7 Speckled Woods and 1 Large White.
Plenty of Common Blue Damselflies, but no other damselfly species seen.
Dragonflies : 6 Brown Hawkers, 2 Southern Hawkers plus at the Eastern Reedbed, a single Emperor.
I photographed a white moth in Birch Wood which I am struggling to ID, the nearest resemblance I
can find is a Brown Tail, I would welcome further advice on this, please see photo attached.
A 22 spot Ladybird was also in Birch Wood, and tiny Common Toads were crossing the paths around
Sandbach Flashes (Alongside Elton Hall Flash & alongside Clay Lane)
5 Banded Demoiselles, 1 "Amblyteles Armatorius" type Ichneumon Wasp, 1 Silver Y moth and 1 Violet Ground Beetle.
Butterflies : 2 Comma, 4 Gatekeepers and 7 Meadow Browns.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jul 10 10:54 PM, 2019
An afternoon on Newchurch Common, warm, sunny intervals but most of the time was overcast.
An 11 species day for butterflies in one small area near Big Pool, a new one for this week being Small Tortoiseshell, also Red Admiral, 2 Painted Ladys, Comma, Large White, Green-veined White, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Speckled Wood. Narrow-bordered 5-Spot Burnet and Cinnabar moths seen.
Another immature male Ruddy Darter was found as well as Brown Hawker, Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Red-eyed Damselflies.
Nettle Weevil, 7-spot Ladybird and Red Soldier Beetle were seen. Scorpion Fly and Nursery Web Spider were recorded. Hoverflies included Batmanhoverfly, Marmalade hoverfly, Volucella bombylans and Pellucid Fly.
John Williams said
Wed Jul 10 7:55 PM, 2019
Neumanns Flash & Marbury Country Park (10.30-15.30)
Butterflies : Lots of Meadow Browns, 4 Ringlets, 2 Large Whites and 4 Speckled Woods.
Dragonflies : Numerous Black Tailed Skimmers around Neumanns, 1m+2f Ruddy Darters on Dairyhouse Meadows.
Several Blue Tailed and a couple of Common Blue Damselflies in front of Pods Hide.
1 "Lagria Hirta" type beetle by the path on Neumanns (Also found 1 inside my garden bird feeder amongst the sunflower hearts).
1 "Calocoris Stysi" bug on stinging nettles by Budworth Mere.
John Williams said
Wed Jul 10 6:06 PM, 2019
Thanks Andy,
I have compared the photos of both Fox and Oak Eggar moth caterpillars on the UK moths website with the
photo I took on Langsett Moor, and there are similarities with each species.
The caterpillar in my photo however shows several white patches towards the rear, which are very similar to the
markings shown on the Oak Eggar larva, but are missing on the Fox moth picture.
Both species apparently bask on heather and beside paths, presumably confident that their hairy protection will
deter predators (There are few aerial predators on Langsett Moor anyhow), which both the caterpillars I saw were
doing. The most noticeable feature of these caterpillars were their size, both were around 80-90mm in length,
which seems to me to indicate they were Oak Eggar larva, however I may still be wrong.
Cheers
John
Doc Brewster said
Tue Jul 9 9:45 PM, 2019
On my Newchurch walk today no sun and cooler.
Had most of what I'd had before, just not as many! New butterfly for July was Green-veined White, that brings to total number of species of butterfly there in the last 3 days to 12
Andy Bissitt said
Tue Jul 9 9:34 PM, 2019
John Williams wrote:
Thanks David,
The Oak Eggar moth would certainly fit the criteria.
On both occasions when the caterpiilars were found they were close to large areas of heather,
which is one of this species food plants, and their preferred habitat is open heathland.
The caterpillar shown in my field guide is slightly more colourful than the one in my photo,
but they are probably quite variable depending on which area they live.
The next time I visit this moorland I'll keep an eye open for the adult males, which are day flying,
whilst the females are nocturnal. Cheers.
John,
Have you also considered Fox moth? They are very similar at some stage, and reading the description of oak eggar's larval stages (and accompanying photos) on the UKMoths website will prove interesting to you I'm sure (if you already haven't).
Cheers,
Andy
John Williams said
Tue Jul 9 11:19 AM, 2019
Thanks David,
The Oak Eggar moth would certainly fit the criteria.
On both occasions when the caterpiilars were found they were close to large areas of heather,
which is one of this species food plants, and their preferred habitat is open heathland.
The caterpillar shown in my field guide is slightly more colourful than the one in my photo,
but they are probably quite variable depending on which area they live.
The next time I visit this moorland I'll keep an eye open for the adult males, which are day flying,
whilst the females are nocturnal. Cheers.
Doc Brewster said
Mon Jul 8 10:35 PM, 2019
Another brilliant morning in the sunshine at Newchurch Common, Cheshire.
Added a new odonata for the year - Ruddy Darter, two immature males were seen near Big Pool where I had mature males last year (picture attached). Also seen were male and female Black-tailed Skimmer, Brown Hawker, Four-spotted Chaser, Red-eyed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly.
After seeing one off patch yesterday, today I added Gatekeeper to the patch list for 2019. Also seen 3 Painted Ladys, Red Admiral, Comma, Large White, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Ringlet, Speckled Wood and Meadow Brown.
The highlight was another large female Grass Snake, seen in a totally different area to the one on June 19th, this time it being in grass near the west side of Small Pool. A Common Frog was out in the sun on the mosses, not a good idea!
Nine butterfly species were seen, 3 Painted Ladys, Large Skipper, Comma, Red Admiral, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Large White and Small White. Odonata were represented by Brown Hawker, Four-spotted Chaser, Red-eyed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly. Moth species seen were a new one for 2019, Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet, also Cinnabar moth and caterpillars. Finally a Leaf Hopper, probably Conosanus obsoletus and several 7-Spot Ladybirds were seen
Nearby at the horse fields, but off my patch by less than 600m my first Gatekeeper butterfly of 2019 was seen.
John Williams said
Fri Jul 5 7:59 PM, 2019
Bickerton Hill (Cheshire) 10.00-15.00
Mainly looking for reptiles, but earlier in the morning, or when the sun comes out after a shower
would of proved more fruitful for these creatures, thus none were found.
The dry heath and surrounding woodland are great for insects though.
1 Southern Hawker dragonfly patrolled a patch of bracken, and a single female Common Darter was on the dry heath.
Meadow Brown butterflies in profusion around the open areas, also 4 Painted Ladies and a single Small Copper.
There were quite a few small buff coloured grasshoppers around the area of open dry sandy heath.
Noticeably smaller than the Meadow Grasshoppers I usually see in grassy areas, the only creature that fits the description
is Common Groundhopper, but I'm certainly no expect with grasshopper ID, an entomologist opinion would be helpful.
Also seen here today were 1 Dor Beetle and a 2-Spot Ladybird.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Jul 4 11:00 PM, 2019
An afternoon walk on Newchurch Common. again for inverts only.
Nothing new but my second ever Hairy Dragonfly. Also 2 male Black-tailed Skimmers, 2-3 Brown Hawkers, and the usual damselflies.
Four Painted Ladys were seen, also 3 Large Skippers, 4+Commas (all fresh, newly emerged), 4+Red Admirals, my first Small White for ages, and lots of Ringlets, Meadow Browns and 3 Speckled Woods.
At least 12 Nursery Web Spiders in one nettle patch were seen, complete with webs.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jul 3 10:41 PM, 2019
On Newchurch Common am for inverts only in the sun.
Got a new butterfly for the year - Small Skipper, as well as 5 Painted Ladys, lots of Ringlets and Meadow Browns, a Large Skipper and a Speckled Wood. Also a new dragon for 2019 - Brown Hawker (a couple seen), also a close perched up fresh male Emperor, and a flypast male Black-tailed Skimmer. The usual damselflies were seen.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 3rd of July 2019 10:43:51 PM
Doc Brewster said
Tue Jul 2 10:34 PM, 2019
Newchurch Common am - only 1 Painted Lady, lots more Ringlets and several Nursery Web Spiders now with 'nursery webs'!!
John Williams said
Mon Jul 1 10:29 PM, 2019
Neumanns Flash 16.00-17.30
Butterflies :
1 Gatekeeper (My first this year), 2 Painted Ladies, 1 Red Admiral, 5 Ringlets, 4 Speckled Woods,
Thanks Ian. I thought there was an Out of County other Wildlife thread but, I couldnt find it
Ian McKerchar said
Mon Jul 1 6:17 AM, 2019
Originally posted by Paul Beachcroft:
Just back from two full days in Northamptonshire. Two visits to: Fermyn Woods and Glapthorn Cow Pastures. No sign of the elusive Purple Emperor or Chequered Skipper butterflies but did see the following Butterflies: large white, little blue, clouded yellow, small copper, small tortoiseshell, comma, silver washed fritillary, dark green fritillary, painted lady, red admiral, white admiral, small heath, Essex skipper, small skipper, large skipper, meadow brown, grizzled skipper, dingy skipper, black hairstreak, ringlet, speckled wood, marble white. Moths: six spot burnet, barred yellow, scallop shell, silver y, hummingbird hawk moth, narrow bodied bee hawk moth, cinnabar. Others: broad bodied chaser dragonfly, banded demoiselle, common lizard.
John O'Neill said
Mon Jul 1 12:03 AM, 2019
Gatewarth (Penketh_).
Pyramidal orchids fully out now, couldn't find any other orchid ssp at all
Butterflies on wing included Red Admiral and Meadow Brown.
John Williams said
Sat Jun 29 10:47 PM, 2019
Neumanns Flash 09.30-13.00
Butterflies : Numerous Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Speckled Wood plus 1 Large White.
Also 4 Red Admirals and 2 Painted Ladies.
Dragonflies : 1m Black Tailed Skimmer resting on the path leading to Pods Hide.
Damselflies : Lots of Common Blues, 1 Large Red and 6 Banded Demoiselles.
The Demoiselles were showing really well where the track onto Dairyhouse Meadows from Neumanns
dips and crosses the stream.
1"Galerucella Lineola" type beetle was resting on Flag Iris at the above spot too.
Another morning walk in the sun on Newchurch Common.
A female Black-tailed Skimmer was my first of the species this year. Four-spotted Chaser and Emperor were seen as well as the usual 4 damselflies. Today 12 Painted Lady butterflies were seen in the small area covered, also Ringlet, Red Admiral and Large Skipper still, as well as the usuals! A new species was the Snipe Fly Rhagio triangularis. The hoverflies Volucella bombylans,Eristalis intricarius andEristalis horticola were all seen.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Jun 27 10:53 PM, 2019
A walk in the sun at Newchurch Common produced a few new invert sightings.
My first Emperor dragonfly was on Small Pool whilst the first Four-spotted Chaser for a while was on the mosses. Six Painted Ladys were seen in total along with Comma, Red Admiral, Large Skipper and Ringlet amongst other butterflies. A Latticed Heath moth and a Brown Silver-lines moth were seen as well as my first Cinnabar caterpillars on the ragwort. My first Green Tiger Beetle for ages was on Abbot's Moss. A new hoverfly for me on site was the wasp mimic Chrysotoxum bicinctum. A 14-spot Ladybird was seen as well as a Green Lacewing.
Finally not inverts but the sun brought out 2+Red-eared Terrapins on Small Pool. One was hanging around near a nesting Coot which left its nest to give the terrapin a serious pecking!
John Williams said
Thu Jun 27 6:52 PM, 2019
Brockholes LWT Reserve 10.00-15.00
I spent a couple of hours by Red Scar Wood, where White Letter Hairstreak butterflies have been recorded in the last few days.
Sadly despite myself and half a dozen other butterfly enthusiasts scouring the area where the hairstreaks had been seen, none
were found. The favoured spot for these butterflies is either around the tops of the Wych Elm trees in the wood, which are very
difficult to view, or the nearby patches of flowering brambles.
Painted Ladies, Red Admirals, Large Skippers and Meadow Browns were here in profusion though.
2 Common Blue butterflies were on the Birds Foot Trefoil near the visitor centre, and a few 6 Spot Burnet moths were on knapweed.
3 Emperor Dragonflies and a female Black Tailed Skimmer were by the path along the Western side of the reserve, and my first
Brown Hawker of the year was patrolling a ditch near the site entrance.
Common Blue damselflies were seen in profusion throughout, and a few Blue Tails were in the NW corner of the reserve.
2 Beautiful Demoiselles were seen near the Lookout Hide. A single Ruby tailed Wasp was resting on a board by Red Scar Wood.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jun 26 10:46 PM, 2019
A warm day at Newchurch but very little sun.
Highlights were several Ringlets now out, 4 Painted Ladys, Meadow Browns, Large Skipper and Speckled Wood. The 4 usual Damselflies still around in good numbers. A Riband Wave moth and a Brown China-mark moth were seen. A heap of Peacock butterfly caterpillars were on nettles.
John Williams said
Tue Jun 25 6:15 PM, 2019
Pickerings Pasture (Widnes) 13.30-16.30
A good afternoon for butterflies after the rain stopped at 3pm.
The area in front of the screen appears to be great for butterflies as it''s overgrown with nettle, thistle and sorrel.
Sightings throughout the site this afternoon were : 7 Painted Ladies, 1 Red Admiral, 3 Comma, 1 Large White,
1 Large Skipper and 2 Meadow Browns.
Doc Brewster said
Sun Jun 23 9:44 PM, 2019
On my Newchurch Common (Cheshire) walk today I recorded my first Ringlet butterfly of 2019. Other butterflies were Meadow Brown (10), Large Skipper and Speckled Wood. The usual 4 Damselflies; Common Blue, Azure, Red-eyed and Blue-tailed. An Orange Ladybird was a nice find. Also my first Black & Yellow Longhorn Beetles (Rutpela maculata) of the year were seen.
Jeff Gorse said
Sun Jun 23 9:30 PM, 2019
Heysham Nature Reserve this afternoon, several burnet companion moths, 1 x common blue, 1 x painted lady, 1 x speckled wood, 1 x six-spot burnet. Grey seal bobbing relatively close in around the harbour mouth
Paul Beachcroft said
Sun Jun 23 7:14 PM, 2019
We left Liverpool early on Friday morning and travelled down to Gloucester/Hereford arriving mid morning. Out until midnight on both Friday and Saturday and only just back home in the last hour or so. Visited Daneswell Banks, Crabtree Hill, Symonds Yat, Nagshead, New Fancy, Cannop Ponds, Cleve Hill and Prestbury Hill nature reserves, recording the following; Butterfly: common blue, large blue, small blue, small tortoiseshell, painted lady, small heath, large skipper, dingy skipper, meadow brown, brown argus, marbled white, speckled wood; Moths: five spot burnet, six spot burnet, hummingbird hawk moth, cinnabar, chimney sweep, mother shipton, lace border; Bats: pipestrelle, daubenton; Misc: wild boar, fallow deer, roe deer, fox, brown rat, grey squirrel, slow worm, glow worm, shrew, toad, common lizard.......
-- Edited by Paul Beachcroft on Sunday 23rd of June 2019 07:15:58 PM
John Williams said
Sun Jun 23 7:08 PM, 2019
Sandbach Flashes (10.30-12.30)
Elton Hall Flash :
2 Blue Tailed plus a few Common Blue Damselflies. 3 Speckled Wood and 1 Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies.
1 ichneumon wasp resembling "Aoplus castaneus", but I can't be sure on exact species.
Ermine moths have formed their cobweb like nests on a couple of the big willows alongside Elton Hall Flash.
Dairy House Meadows : 2m Banded Demoiselles and 1m Black Tailed Skimmer dragonfly.
Numerous baby toads starting to emerge from the pool circled by alders.
Marbury Country Park (12.30-14.00): 2 Large White butterflies by Big Wood.
Numerous Common Blue and a couple of Blue Tailed damselflies alongside the mere.
Common Flower Bug on mereside nettles.
Haydn Pool (14.30) : 1 Brimstone and 2 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Jun 20 10:20 PM, 2019
At Newchurch Common warm but drizzle interspersed with sun, still got a few invert sightings though!
New sightings included a Silver-Y Moth, a Small Copper butterfly, a Nursery Web Spider and a Yellow-tail moth caterpillar. The Painetd Lady was still in the same place as were the Large Skipper and Meadow Brown. Only 3 damselfly species seen, the common ones! A brand new species for me was Long Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta).
A few Common Spotted Orchids were seen.
John Williams said
Wed Jun 19 11:24 PM, 2019
Big Moor (NE Derbyshire) 13.00-18.00
1 Common White Wave and 1 Common Heath moths. (I expected far more Common Heaths)
2 Painted Lady butterflies (1 was snatched by a passing swallow).
Small Heath butterflies numerous around the heather.
At least 10 Green Tiger Beetles were on the path near Froggatt Edge.
Doc Brewster said
Wed Jun 19 10:40 PM, 2019
I had a cracking day at Newchurch Common, Cheshire today.
I found my first Grass Snake, a huge female tucked away in the grass by Big Pool. I also recorded my first Painted Lady of the year, my first Large Skipper and my first Meadow Brown too. As well as these butterflies I had a few Speckled Woods too. New moths were seen in the shape of a Clouded Border, a Yellow Shell and a Straw Dot. Cinnabar Moths were also seen. A new species of dragonlfy was seen, an immature male Broad-bodied Chaser. Otherwise the usual damselflies were still present. Plenty of Scorpion Flies still too.
John O'Neill said
Mon Jun 17 9:43 PM, 2019
Gatewarth (Penketh)
Good orchid numbers in field sloping down to Fiddlers Ferry/Mersey
SIngle Southern Marsh Orchid
6 Bee Orchids
10 plus Pyramidal Orchids most not fully out yet.
John O'Neill said
Mon Jun 17 6:54 PM, 2019
Bold Heath Clockface Rd Swinton Commercials (previously Hire Co), Widnes
Roadside verge had great display of flowering Bee Orchids which are having a good year here. I stopped counting at 50 flowering plants, including many good sized individuals. The sloping grass has not been mown apart from a thin strip right by the road which must have helped the orchids. No Marsh Orchids flowering though.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 17th of June 2019 08:55:51 PM
John Williams said
Mon Jun 17 3:31 PM, 2019
Chelford Area : Former Sand Quarries NE of the roundabout on the A537.
Despite the sporadic light drizzle there were a few insects about :
1 Common Blue butterfly, 6 Common Blue and 1 Large Red damselflies and 2 Scorpion Flies.
Also a pair of mating beetles similar to "Athous Haemorrhoidalis", seen clinging to a grass stem.
.
Simon Gough said
Mon Jun 17 10:09 AM, 2019
Saturday 15th June
South Stack
2 Silver-studded Blue and several Painted Lady seen. My first sighting of the Blues, the vivid colour of which was beautiful and matched the sky rather well.
John Williams said
Sat Jun 15 11:58 PM, 2019
Great Orme Llandudno 11.30-16.00
Numerous Silver-Studded Blue Butterflies seen along the South side of the Orme, especially where the steep path leads
up off Marine Drive and there are large areas of their food plant Rockrose.
The only other butterflies seen were 7 Painted Ladies.
33 Grey Seals were below the cliffs, most of them resting on the rocks below the cafe.
A very similar haul today from Newchurch Common as on my last visit, the same 5 Damselflies and 4 -Spotted Chaser. A Speckled Wood was the only butterfly species. Several Common Red Soldier Beetles (Rhagonycha fulva) were seen.
Doc Brewster said
Thu Jun 6 10:18 PM, 2019
A sunny warm morning at Newchurch Common was good for inverts again.
I recorded my first ever Hairy Dragonfly here, on Big Pool in the cut by the island. Also in the same area were 3-4 Four-Spotted Chasers. Again damselflies included Azure, Common Blue, Blue-tailed,Large Red and Red-eyed Damselflies. The Red-eyed Damselflies were seen ovipositing. Large White and Small Copper butterflies were seen. Lots of Harlequin Ladybirds had hatched. Otherwise a similar mix to my last visit.
John Williams said
Wed Jun 5 7:20 PM, 2019
Moore Nature Reserve 12.00-16.00
A confiding Bank Vole was showing really well on the former canal towpath by Lapwing Lane.
The only moth/butterfly species around today, apart from a few grass moths, was a single Green Oak Tortrix in Birch Wood.
Doc Brewster said
Tue Jun 4 10:48 PM, 2019
Despite the poor weather at least it was warm for my Newchurch Common walk today.
Odonata seen were all damselflies : Red-eyed, Blue-tailed, Large Red, Azure and Common Blue. Just two butterfly speckies : Speckled Wood and Green-veined White. A Cinnabar Moth was on the wing. 7-Spot and 14-Spot Ladybirds were seen as well as Swollen-thighed Beetle. My first Scorpion Flies of the year were on the wing. Red-and-Black Froghopper was seen again. Tree Bumblebee was seen. A nice male Tetragnatha extensa (Long-jawed Orb-weaver spider) was disturbed in a nettle patch where a Nettle Weevil was also seen.
Mike Chorley said
Mon Jun 3 11:59 PM, 2019
North Norfolk.
Forgot to mention the wave of Red Admiral butterflies coming in along the coast on Sunday. Not exactly a 'fall' but good to see them arriving at regular intervals along the coast from Salthouse to Titchwell.
Mark Jarrett said
Sat Jun 1 8:58 PM, 2019
Fast forward twelve months and another visit to Whixall Moss after last years near miss with the White-faced Darters. The weather was warm enough today but the sunshine forecast at 2pm, 3pm and 5pm never really materialised. It tried to get through but never made it.
Consequently, not much was flying but, thankfully, a handful of White-faced Darters were at the pool. Up to say half a dozen were seen, all but one males, a few fly rounds but mainly they were positioned on the small boards surrounding the small pool. Presumably trying to gain extra warmth retained in the Wood.
Other odonata were represented by a Broad-bodied Chaser, a couple of Four-spotted Chasers and a few blues here and there. A guy I walked round with had had an Emporer earlier.
Not many butterflies on the wing. Around seven or eight Brimstone and just the one Small Copper.
A walk in warm overcast conditions at Newchurch Common, Cheshire this am.
Bumper day for butterflies. My first Purple Hairstreak of 2019 in oaks near the car parking area. Also newly emerged Small Copper and Peacock. Other species seen were Comma, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Gatekeeper, Speckled Wood, Ringlet , Meadow Brown and Green-veined White, 13 species in total. A Black-tailed Skimmer plus the 4 common Damselflies were seen. A Gall Fly that targets thistles (Terellia serratulae) was a new species for me and the patch. A Long Hoverfly male was noted.
Non invertebrates included a Wood Mouse and lots of Common Toadlets.
Loos like a Dingy or Buff Footman,Buff is more common.
Butterflies : Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers abundant, 3 Green Veined Whites (Birch Wood),
6 Red Admirals, 2 Small Tortoiseshells, 7 Speckled Woods and 1 Large White.
Plenty of Common Blue Damselflies, but no other damselfly species seen.
Dragonflies : 6 Brown Hawkers, 2 Southern Hawkers plus at the Eastern Reedbed, a single Emperor.
I photographed a white moth in Birch Wood which I am struggling to ID, the nearest resemblance I
can find is a Brown Tail, I would welcome further advice on this, please see photo attached.
A 22 spot Ladybird was also in Birch Wood, and tiny Common Toads were crossing the paths around
all the pools.
Meadow Brown and Gatekeeper butterflies abound along the verges and bramble patches.
3 Green Veined White butterflies were near Sandgrounders, as was a single Brown Hawker dragonfly.
A single "Volucella Zonaria" type hoverfly was seen near the car park.
5 Banded Demoiselles, 1 "Amblyteles Armatorius" type Ichneumon Wasp, 1 Silver Y moth and 1 Violet Ground Beetle.
Butterflies : 2 Comma, 4 Gatekeepers and 7 Meadow Browns.
An afternoon on Newchurch Common, warm, sunny intervals but most of the time was overcast.
An 11 species day for butterflies in one small area near Big Pool, a new one for this week being Small Tortoiseshell, also Red Admiral, 2 Painted Ladys, Comma, Large White, Green-veined White, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Ringlet, Meadow Brown and Speckled Wood. Narrow-bordered 5-Spot Burnet and Cinnabar moths seen.
Another immature male Ruddy Darter was found as well as Brown Hawker, Common Blue, Blue-tailed and Red-eyed Damselflies.
Nettle Weevil, 7-spot Ladybird and Red Soldier Beetle were seen. Scorpion Fly and Nursery Web Spider were recorded. Hoverflies included Batman hoverfly, Marmalade hoverfly, Volucella bombylans and Pellucid Fly.
Butterflies : Lots of Meadow Browns, 4 Ringlets, 2 Large Whites and 4 Speckled Woods.
Dragonflies : Numerous Black Tailed Skimmers around Neumanns, 1m+2f Ruddy Darters on Dairyhouse Meadows.
Several Blue Tailed and a couple of Common Blue Damselflies in front of Pods Hide.
1 "Lagria Hirta" type beetle by the path on Neumanns (Also found 1 inside my garden bird feeder amongst the sunflower hearts).
1 "Calocoris Stysi" bug on stinging nettles by Budworth Mere.
I have compared the photos of both Fox and Oak Eggar moth caterpillars on the UK moths website with the
photo I took on Langsett Moor, and there are similarities with each species.
The caterpillar in my photo however shows several white patches towards the rear, which are very similar to the
markings shown on the Oak Eggar larva, but are missing on the Fox moth picture.
Both species apparently bask on heather and beside paths, presumably confident that their hairy protection will
deter predators (There are few aerial predators on Langsett Moor anyhow), which both the caterpillars I saw were
doing. The most noticeable feature of these caterpillars were their size, both were around 80-90mm in length,
which seems to me to indicate they were Oak Eggar larva, however I may still be wrong.
Cheers
John
On my Newchurch walk today no sun and cooler.
Had most of what I'd had before, just not as many! New butterfly for July was Green-veined White, that brings to total number of species of butterfly there in the last 3 days to 12
John,
Have you also considered Fox moth? They are very similar at some stage, and reading the description of oak eggar's larval stages (and accompanying photos) on the UKMoths website will prove interesting to you I'm sure (if you already haven't).
Cheers,
Andy
The Oak Eggar moth would certainly fit the criteria.
On both occasions when the caterpiilars were found they were close to large areas of heather,
which is one of this species food plants, and their preferred habitat is open heathland.
The caterpillar shown in my field guide is slightly more colourful than the one in my photo,
but they are probably quite variable depending on which area they live.
The next time I visit this moorland I'll keep an eye open for the adult males, which are day flying,
whilst the females are nocturnal. Cheers.
Another brilliant morning in the sunshine at Newchurch Common, Cheshire.
Added a new odonata for the year - Ruddy Darter, two immature males were seen near Big Pool where I had mature males last year (picture attached). Also seen were male and female Black-tailed Skimmer, Brown Hawker, Four-spotted Chaser, Red-eyed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly, Azure Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly.
After seeing one off patch yesterday, today I added Gatekeeper to the patch list for 2019. Also seen 3 Painted Ladys, Red Admiral, Comma, Large White, Small Skipper, Large Skipper, Ringlet, Speckled Wood and Meadow Brown.
Other sightings included Yellow Shell moth.
I am no moth expert, John, but could it be a Northern/Oak Eggar moth caterpillar?
Butterflies : Lots of Ringlets, plus 2 Painted Ladies, 4 Red Admirals, 4 Small Heath, 4 Speckled Woods
and a couple of Small Tortoiseshells.
Apart from a few micro moths the only other moths seen were 1 Common Heath and 1 Northern Spinach.
Around the boggy areas by the conifer woodland were a few Common Blue and 2 Large Red Damselflies.
A dragonfly, similar in size and colour to a male Southern Hawker, patrolled the edge of the brook below
the stone bridge linking the woodland and the moor. I could not properly ID this dragonfly as it did not settle,
even for a second, but constantly patrolled the edge of a bush overhanging the brook.
I found the large hairy caterpillar (Photo Attached) on a moorland path, I have seen one of these previously
on the high moor, but I can't ID it, can anyone please name the species?.
Golden-ringed Dragonfly
Common Hawker
Four-spotted Chaser
Common Blue Damselfly
Eyarth Rocks, near Ruthin. Three hours in warm and mainly cloudy weather, again not too much happening :-
Meadow Brown
Ringlet
Green-veined White
Small Skipper
Speckled Wood
Small Tortoiseshell
Dark Green Fritillary (Photo)
Painted Lady
Out am and pm in the sun at Newchurch Common.
The highlight was another large female Grass Snake, seen in a totally different area to the one on June 19th, this time it being in grass near the west side of Small Pool. A Common Frog was out in the sun on the mosses, not a good idea!
Nine butterfly species were seen, 3 Painted Ladys, Large Skipper, Comma, Red Admiral, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Large White and Small White. Odonata were represented by Brown Hawker, Four-spotted Chaser, Red-eyed Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly. Moth species seen were a new one for 2019, Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet, also Cinnabar moth and caterpillars. Finally a Leaf Hopper, probably Conosanus obsoletus and several 7-Spot Ladybirds were seen
Nearby at the horse fields, but off my patch by less than 600m my first Gatekeeper butterfly of 2019 was seen.
Mainly looking for reptiles, but earlier in the morning, or when the sun comes out after a shower
would of proved more fruitful for these creatures, thus none were found.
The dry heath and surrounding woodland are great for insects though.
1 Southern Hawker dragonfly patrolled a patch of bracken, and a single female Common Darter was on the dry heath.
Meadow Brown butterflies in profusion around the open areas, also 4 Painted Ladies and a single Small Copper.
There were quite a few small buff coloured grasshoppers around the area of open dry sandy heath.
Noticeably smaller than the Meadow Grasshoppers I usually see in grassy areas, the only creature that fits the description
is Common Groundhopper, but I'm certainly no expect with grasshopper ID, an entomologist opinion would be helpful.
Also seen here today were 1 Dor Beetle and a 2-Spot Ladybird.
An afternoon walk on Newchurch Common. again for inverts only.
Nothing new but my second ever Hairy Dragonfly. Also 2 male Black-tailed Skimmers, 2-3 Brown Hawkers, and the usual damselflies.
Four Painted Ladys were seen, also 3 Large Skippers, 4+Commas (all fresh, newly emerged), 4+Red Admirals, my first Small White for ages, and lots of Ringlets, Meadow Browns and 3 Speckled Woods.
At least 12 Nursery Web Spiders in one nettle patch were seen, complete with webs.
On Newchurch Common am for inverts only in the sun.
Got a new butterfly for the year - Small Skipper, as well as 5 Painted Ladys, lots of Ringlets and Meadow Browns, a Large Skipper and a Speckled Wood. Also a new dragon for 2019 - Brown Hawker (a couple seen), also a close perched up fresh male Emperor, and a flypast male Black-tailed Skimmer. The usual damselflies were seen.
-- Edited by Doc Brewster on Wednesday 3rd of July 2019 10:43:51 PM
Newchurch Common am - only 1 Painted Lady, lots more Ringlets and several Nursery Web Spiders now with 'nursery webs'!!
Butterflies :
1 Gatekeeper (My first this year), 2 Painted Ladies, 1 Red Admiral, 5 Ringlets, 4 Speckled Woods,
1 Large Skipper and lots of Meadow Browns.
Dragonflies : 1 fem Black Tailed Skimmer.
Thanks Ian. I thought there was an Out of County other Wildlife thread but, I couldnt find it
Originally posted by Paul Beachcroft:
Just back from two full days in Northamptonshire. Two visits to: Fermyn Woods and Glapthorn Cow Pastures. No sign of the elusive Purple Emperor or Chequered Skipper butterflies but did see the following Butterflies: large white, little blue, clouded yellow, small copper, small tortoiseshell, comma, silver washed fritillary, dark green fritillary, painted lady, red admiral, white admiral, small heath, Essex skipper, small skipper, large skipper, meadow brown, grizzled skipper, dingy skipper, black hairstreak, ringlet, speckled wood, marble white. Moths: six spot burnet, barred yellow, scallop shell, silver y, hummingbird hawk moth, narrow bodied bee hawk moth, cinnabar. Others: broad bodied chaser dragonfly, banded demoiselle, common lizard.
Pyramidal orchids fully out now, couldn't find any other orchid ssp at all
Butterflies on wing included Red Admiral and Meadow Brown.
Butterflies : Numerous Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Speckled Wood plus 1 Large White.
Also 4 Red Admirals and 2 Painted Ladies.
Dragonflies : 1m Black Tailed Skimmer resting on the path leading to Pods Hide.
Damselflies : Lots of Common Blues, 1 Large Red and 6 Banded Demoiselles.
The Demoiselles were showing really well where the track onto Dairyhouse Meadows from Neumanns
dips and crosses the stream.
1"Galerucella Lineola" type beetle was resting on Flag Iris at the above spot too.
Another morning walk in the sun on Newchurch Common.
A female Black-tailed Skimmer was my first of the species this year. Four-spotted Chaser and Emperor were seen as well as the usual 4 damselflies. Today 12 Painted Lady butterflies were seen in the small area covered, also Ringlet, Red Admiral and Large Skipper still, as well as the usuals! A new species was the Snipe Fly Rhagio triangularis. The hoverflies Volucella bombylans,Eristalis intricarius andEristalis horticola were all seen.
A walk in the sun at Newchurch Common produced a few new invert sightings.
My first Emperor dragonfly was on Small Pool whilst the first Four-spotted Chaser for a while was on the mosses. Six Painted Ladys were seen in total along with Comma, Red Admiral, Large Skipper and Ringlet amongst other butterflies. A Latticed Heath moth and a Brown Silver-lines moth were seen as well as my first Cinnabar caterpillars on the ragwort. My first Green Tiger Beetle for ages was on Abbot's Moss. A new hoverfly for me on site was the wasp mimic Chrysotoxum bicinctum. A 14-spot Ladybird was seen as well as a Green Lacewing.
Finally not inverts but the sun brought out 2+Red-eared Terrapins on Small Pool. One was hanging around near a nesting Coot which left its nest to give the terrapin a serious pecking!
I spent a couple of hours by Red Scar Wood, where White Letter Hairstreak butterflies have been recorded in the last few days.
Sadly despite myself and half a dozen other butterfly enthusiasts scouring the area where the hairstreaks had been seen, none
were found. The favoured spot for these butterflies is either around the tops of the Wych Elm trees in the wood, which are very
difficult to view, or the nearby patches of flowering brambles.
Painted Ladies, Red Admirals, Large Skippers and Meadow Browns were here in profusion though.
2 Common Blue butterflies were on the Birds Foot Trefoil near the visitor centre, and a few 6 Spot Burnet moths were on knapweed.
3 Emperor Dragonflies and a female Black Tailed Skimmer were by the path along the Western side of the reserve, and my first
Brown Hawker of the year was patrolling a ditch near the site entrance.
Common Blue damselflies were seen in profusion throughout, and a few Blue Tails were in the NW corner of the reserve.
2 Beautiful Demoiselles were seen near the Lookout Hide. A single Ruby tailed Wasp was resting on a board by Red Scar Wood.
A warm day at Newchurch but very little sun.
Highlights were several Ringlets now out, 4 Painted Ladys, Meadow Browns, Large Skipper and Speckled Wood. The 4 usual Damselflies still around in good numbers. A Riband Wave moth and a Brown China-mark moth were seen. A heap of Peacock butterfly caterpillars were on nettles.
A good afternoon for butterflies after the rain stopped at 3pm.
The area in front of the screen appears to be great for butterflies as it''s overgrown with nettle, thistle and sorrel.
Sightings throughout the site this afternoon were : 7 Painted Ladies, 1 Red Admiral, 3 Comma, 1 Large White,
1 Large Skipper and 2 Meadow Browns.
On my Newchurch Common (Cheshire) walk today I recorded my first Ringlet butterfly of 2019. Other butterflies were Meadow Brown (10), Large Skipper and Speckled Wood. The usual 4 Damselflies; Common Blue, Azure, Red-eyed and Blue-tailed. An Orange Ladybird was a nice find. Also my first Black & Yellow Longhorn Beetles (Rutpela maculata) of the year were seen.
Heysham Nature Reserve this afternoon, several burnet companion moths, 1 x common blue, 1 x painted lady, 1 x speckled wood, 1 x six-spot burnet. Grey seal bobbing relatively close in around the harbour mouth
We left Liverpool early on Friday morning and travelled down to Gloucester/Hereford arriving mid morning. Out until midnight on both Friday and Saturday and only just back home in the last hour or so. Visited Daneswell Banks, Crabtree Hill, Symonds Yat, Nagshead, New Fancy, Cannop Ponds, Cleve Hill and Prestbury Hill nature reserves, recording the following; Butterfly: common blue, large blue, small blue, small tortoiseshell, painted lady, small heath, large skipper, dingy skipper, meadow brown, brown argus, marbled white, speckled wood; Moths: five spot burnet, six spot burnet, hummingbird hawk moth, cinnabar, chimney sweep, mother shipton, lace border; Bats: pipestrelle, daubenton; Misc: wild boar, fallow deer, roe deer, fox, brown rat, grey squirrel, slow worm, glow worm, shrew, toad, common lizard.......
-- Edited by Paul Beachcroft on Sunday 23rd of June 2019 07:15:58 PM
Elton Hall Flash :
2 Blue Tailed plus a few Common Blue Damselflies. 3 Speckled Wood and 1 Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies.
1 ichneumon wasp resembling "Aoplus castaneus", but I can't be sure on exact species.
Ermine moths have formed their cobweb like nests on a couple of the big willows alongside Elton Hall Flash.
Dairy House Meadows : 2m Banded Demoiselles and 1m Black Tailed Skimmer dragonfly.
Numerous baby toads starting to emerge from the pool circled by alders.
Marbury Country Park (12.30-14.00): 2 Large White butterflies by Big Wood.
Numerous Common Blue and a couple of Blue Tailed damselflies alongside the mere.
Common Flower Bug on mereside nettles.
Haydn Pool (14.30) : 1 Brimstone and 2 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies.
At Newchurch Common warm but drizzle interspersed with sun, still got a few invert sightings though!
New sightings included a Silver-Y Moth, a Small Copper butterfly, a Nursery Web Spider and a Yellow-tail moth caterpillar. The Painetd Lady was still in the same place as were the Large Skipper and Meadow Brown. Only 3 damselfly species seen, the common ones! A brand new species for me was Long Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta).
A few Common Spotted Orchids were seen.
1 Common White Wave and 1 Common Heath moths. (I expected far more Common Heaths)
2 Painted Lady butterflies (1 was snatched by a passing swallow).
Small Heath butterflies numerous around the heather.
At least 10 Green Tiger Beetles were on the path near Froggatt Edge.
I had a cracking day at Newchurch Common, Cheshire today.
I found my first Grass Snake, a huge female tucked away in the grass by Big Pool. I also recorded my first Painted Lady of the year, my first Large Skipper and my first Meadow Brown too. As well as these butterflies I had a few Speckled Woods too. New moths were seen in the shape of a Clouded Border, a Yellow Shell and a Straw Dot. Cinnabar Moths were also seen. A new species of dragonlfy was seen, an immature male Broad-bodied Chaser. Otherwise the usual damselflies were still present. Plenty of Scorpion Flies still too.
Good orchid numbers in field sloping down to Fiddlers Ferry/Mersey
SIngle Southern Marsh Orchid
6 Bee Orchids
10 plus Pyramidal Orchids most not fully out yet.
Bold Heath
Clockface Rd
Swinton Commercials (previously Hire Co), Widnes
Roadside verge had great display of flowering Bee Orchids which are having a good year here. I stopped counting at 50 flowering plants, including many good sized individuals. The sloping grass has not been mown apart from a thin strip right by the road which must have helped the orchids. No Marsh Orchids flowering though.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Monday 17th of June 2019 08:55:51 PM
Despite the sporadic light drizzle there were a few insects about :
1 Common Blue butterfly, 6 Common Blue and 1 Large Red damselflies and 2 Scorpion Flies.
Also a pair of mating beetles similar to "Athous Haemorrhoidalis", seen clinging to a grass stem.
.
South Stack
2 Silver-studded Blue and several Painted Lady seen. My first sighting of the Blues, the vivid colour of which was beautiful and matched the sky rather well.
Numerous Silver-Studded Blue Butterflies seen along the South side of the Orme, especially where the steep path leads
up off Marine Drive and there are large areas of their food plant Rockrose.
The only other butterflies seen were 7 Painted Ladies.
33 Grey Seals were below the cliffs, most of them resting on the rocks below the cafe.
A very similar haul today from Newchurch Common as on my last visit, the same 5 Damselflies and 4 -Spotted Chaser. A Speckled Wood was the only butterfly species. Several Common Red Soldier Beetles (Rhagonycha fulva) were seen.
A sunny warm morning at Newchurch Common was good for inverts again.
I recorded my first ever Hairy Dragonfly here, on Big Pool in the cut by the island. Also in the same area were 3-4 Four-Spotted Chasers. Again damselflies included Azure, Common Blue, Blue-tailed, Large Red and Red-eyed Damselflies. The Red-eyed Damselflies were seen ovipositing. Large White and Small Copper butterflies were seen. Lots of Harlequin Ladybirds had hatched. Otherwise a similar mix to my last visit.
A confiding Bank Vole was showing really well on the former canal towpath by Lapwing Lane.
The only moth/butterfly species around today, apart from a few grass moths, was a single Green Oak Tortrix in Birch Wood.
Despite the poor weather at least it was warm for my Newchurch Common walk today.
Odonata seen were all damselflies : Red-eyed, Blue-tailed, Large Red, Azure and Common Blue. Just two butterfly speckies : Speckled Wood and Green-veined White. A Cinnabar Moth was on the wing. 7-Spot and 14-Spot Ladybirds were seen as well as Swollen-thighed Beetle. My first Scorpion Flies of the year were on the wing. Red-and-Black Froghopper was seen again. Tree Bumblebee was seen. A nice male Tetragnatha extensa (Long-jawed Orb-weaver spider) was disturbed in a nettle patch where a Nettle Weevil was also seen.
Forgot to mention the wave of Red Admiral butterflies coming in along the coast on Sunday. Not exactly a 'fall' but good to see them arriving at regular intervals along the coast from Salthouse to Titchwell.
Consequently, not much was flying but, thankfully, a handful of White-faced Darters were at the pool. Up to say half a dozen were seen, all but one males, a few fly rounds but mainly they were positioned on the small boards surrounding the small pool. Presumably trying to gain extra warmth retained in the Wood.
Other odonata were represented by a Broad-bodied Chaser, a couple of Four-spotted Chasers and a few blues here and there. A guy I walked round with had had an Emporer earlier.
Not many butterflies on the wing. Around seven or eight Brimstone and just the one Small Copper.
Good numbers of Toad tadpoles writhing around in pond near entrance to reserve.